Ötztal Valley

Home to North Tirol's highest mountain, the largest glacier ski resort in the Eastern Alps, the tallest waterfall in Tirol and the highest inhabited church village in Tirol, the Ötztal Valley is Tirol's valley of the superlatives.

The highest mountain in Tirol, the largest glacier ski area in the Eastern Alps, the highest waterfall in the region, the second-highest church village in Austria – visitors in search of superlatives will feel at home in the Ötztal Valley, which branches off the Inntal Valley to the east of Imst and runs for 65 kilometres. This region dividing the Ötzal Alps from the Stubai Alps is well-known as being home to “Ötzi the Iceman”, a well-preserved natural mummy of a man who lived around 3,300 BC. Between the village of Oetz at the start of the valley and the famous ski resort of Sölden at its end lie numerous towns and villages offering many activities, including skiing, mountaineering, hiking and rafting.

Dry and mild climate

Visitors will notice the exceptionally dry and mild climate at the entrance to the valley in Haiming, a village known for its apple orchards. The Tschirgant Massif protects the Ötztal Valley from cold north winds, while the many peaks over 3000m in the valley shield it from incoming precipitation. This makes it one of the driest regions in the Alps, and in the villages of Sautens and Oetz there are even plantations of peaches, grapes and chestnuts.

As you travel south the landscape changes. Near Umhausen and Längenfeld the valley floor widens and lush green meadows appear. The road continues to climb as you head towards the ski resorts of Sölden and Obergurgl-Hochgurgl as well as the idyllic village of Vent at almost 2,000m. Here at the end of the valley lie the majority of the 86 glaciers and 250 peaks over 3000m, including Tirol’s highest mountain, the Wildspitze, at 3,768m.

The highest mountain in Tirol, the largest glacier ski area in the Eastern Alps, the highest waterfall in the region, the second-highest church…

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During the winter months skiers and snowboarders can explore six ski resorts with almost 90 lifts and cable cars. The high slopes, including some up to 3,250m, guarantee excellent snow conditions throughout the season., © Ötztal Tourismus
One region, six ski resorts

During the winter months skiers and snowboarders can explore six ski resorts with almost 90 lifts and cable cars. The high slopes, including some up to 3,250m, guarantee excellent snow conditions throughout the season.



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Area47 is an outdoor adventure area offering a whole host of adrenaline-pumping activities such as waterslides, diving boards, high rope obstacle courses, a climbing wall and rafting on the Ötztaler Ache. All in all there are 30 attractions to try out near the start of the Ötztal Valley., © Ötztal Tourismus
Area47: fun and adventure in and on the water

Area47 is an outdoor adventure area offering a whole host of adrenaline-pumping activities such as waterslides, diving boards, high rope obstacle courses, a climbing wall and rafting on the Ötztaler Ache. All in all there are 30 attractions to try out near the start of the Ötztal Valley.



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At 159m the Stuibenfall waterfall near the village of Umhausen is the highest waterfall in Tirol. A viewing platform gives visitors a perfect view of the Horlachbach stream thundering down into the rock pool below. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a via ferrata fixed-rope climbing trail nearby., © Ötztal Tourismus
Stuibenfall: Tirol’s highest waterfall

At 159m the Stuibenfall waterfall near the village of Umhausen is the highest waterfall in Tirol. A viewing platform gives visitors a perfect view of the Horlachbach stream thundering down into the rock pool below. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a via ferrata fixed-rope climbing trail nearby.



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The mountain village of Vent at 1,900m has been welcoming walkers and mountaineers for many centuries and today remains a popular starting point for exploring the region around the Wildspitze., © Ötztal Tourismus
Vent: idyllic village with many hiking options

The mountain village of Vent at 1,900m has been welcoming walkers and mountaineers for many centuries and today remains a popular starting point for exploring the region around the Wildspitze.



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The discovery of “Ötzi the Iceman” near the Hauslabjoch ridge in 1991 made the Ötztal Valley world famous overnight. The well-preserved mummy is more than 5,000 years old and has given researchers fascinating insights into how people lived many millennia ago. Visitors now have the chance to share this knowledge at the Ötzi Village in Umhausen. Another highlight just next door to the village is the new birds of prey centre where these formidable predators show off their hunting skills during flight shows., © Ötztal Tourismus
Journey back in time at the Ötzi Village

The discovery of “Ötzi the Iceman” near the Hauslabjoch ridge in 1991 made the Ötztal Valley world famous overnight. The well-preserved mummy is more than 5,000 years old and has given researchers fascinating insights into how people lived many millennia ago. Visitors now have the chance to share this knowledge at the Ötzi Village in Umhausen. Another highlight just next door to the village is the new birds of prey centre where these formidable predators show off their hunting skills during flight shows.



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Ihr Ziel: Gemeindestraße 4, Sölden, Österreich

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